Swims raise thousands of rands

At sunrise, before the first light touches Simon's Town, a group of swimmers wade into the chilly waters at Long Beach. For most people, swimming a mile in the ocean is a daunting feat, but for this group of passionate locals, it's just the beginning.

- NAMHLA MONAKALI

This was the start of The Beautiful Five, a grassroots initiative led by local swimmers to complete five ocean swims, each 1,6km, in five of the Cape Metro's most scenic tidal pools and open water locations, all in a single day. From Simon's Town to Hout Bay, the group braved everything from freezing waters to jellyfish stings, all for a cause close to their hearts, raising funds for a thriving community garden, Gabriel Road Area Project Association (GRAPA).

Among them was Kerneels Brummer, a tour guide and deli owner from Wynberg, who has been involved in environmental projects for years.

"We always say if you can swim a mile, you can do it again and again. It's more about the mindset than the muscles," says Brummer. "What kept us going wasn't just stamina, it was each other. Once you're in a group, you inspire each other."